Chapter 2.3 Save Me

Welcome back to the Avani Legacy! Last time the boy twins became toddlers AND kids, the girl twins became teenagers and the young adults became full fledged adults! Also, a fifth baby was born - a little girl named Aster!

I named this chapter Save Me because it rhymes with 3 and also because I have been considering murdering sims lately. I don't do well with a full house as you will see mentioned a few times in this chapter. Forgive me.

Aster is a really laid back baby. She requires very little time. I suppose any baby would be easy after 2 sets of twins though, right?

 Thanks to Aster's relaxed ways Abra is finally getting some time to herself. She's no artist but painting helps keep her happy.

She also spends lots of time cooking family meals and freezing them for later. So, she's building her cooking skills for when she goes back to work AND she's feeding the family. Pancakes are always better than dried out birthday cake!

Family homework time! Wait, where are Aspen and Apple?

Aspen: "I have to do my homework by myself because when I'm with people I just want to socialize and then I don't get my homework done and if I don't get my homework done the sink monsters will come out of the sink and eat me!"

Oh, and Apple is passed out at the park. So... that's good.

Ash: "Thanks for working hard to bring home some money Dad. It makes me want to hug you and I don't hug ANYONE!"

Oh hey... you must be Aster. Sorry I kind of forgot about you.

Aster: "It okay. I is used to it"

She's the only one of the kids to get Abra's dark green eyes!Also, I totally suck at running an 8 Sim household. Totally.

Yay! Sam grew up to a Young Adult! Now he can move out!!!!

Sorry Sam, you seem like a good guy, I'm just no good at taking care of lots of Sims.

Sam: "No worries. I'm excited about moving out, being homeless and making my own decisions!  Maybe you'll see me in the paper sometime!"


I hope so Sam, I do hope so! Goodbye Leighton clone.

Apple is a very busy girl between working out, fishing and rock collecting. She certainly is ambitious and hard to keep up with!

Apple: "I'm on top of the world!"

Apricot is much more mellow which I appreciate even though it means she doesn't get as many pictures. She looks completely mellowed in this shot.

Apricot: "The therapist was right, painting helps calm me."

Meanwhile, Aspen gets busy making friends at school which excites me because there weren't any other kids at the school when Apple and Apricot were kids!

Ash is not as social as his twin brother.

Ash: "Aspen claims to be neurotic but I think it's a lie to cover up some sort of conspiracy... I haven't figured it out yet but I will!"

Abra and Apple enjoy fishing together when they have time. Being outdoors, bonding and skilling pleases them both greatly

Meanwhile, Apricot is busy stealing food from her friend's fridge and generally acting inappropriate.

Her friends Frank and Steve are astounded by her tale of flies taking over the world. It's okay though, they'll regret saying anything against her when her fly story becomes a best selling Science Fiction novel.

Our buddy Aspen loves spending time with his little friend Susan.

Aspen: "You're going to break my heart, aren't you?"

Susan: "You better believe it."

Aster: "Don't I get any pictures? I is cute toddler!"

Yeah, but we've already had 6 cute toddlers come before you. You haven't done anything new.

Aster: "I is cute now?"

Yeah, well you're the first to climb in the toy box because we didn't have one before. So, you can have another picture.

Abra: "I now we don't get much time together anymore because we're both so busy but I wanted to tell you I love you."

Apricot: "Photo Bomb! Ha ha ha! I guess I was wrong, their romance isn't going down the toilet!"

Abra and Leighton: "mmmmum slurp"

Gross.

Apricot: "Homework sucks. Can I go paint now?"

Nope, it's your brothers' turn to use the easels. The family had to buy a second easel because Apricot is usually glued to one of them at all times. I wish sims were social when they painted together.

 Aspen: "Why are you basically ignoring me and my brother?"

I'm sorry but you guys bore me and I have already decided neither of you will be heir so I'm basically waiting for you to grow up and move out.

Aspen: "All righty then"

Off to work again Abra?

Abra: "Yep. It's my 5th day of work. Ever."

Apricot may seem standoffish and cold but she's a good sim at heart. She's a better babysitter than Sam was anyway.

Apricot: "I am AWESOME! And don't you forget it!"

I know it's a horrible picture but here's the house right now. It's cramped and small and poorly built because this family is still super poor. I'm saving up to do a big rebuild when Gen. 2 takes over. But, right now it is time for a birthday!

Aspen: "Hey, did you see those cakes over there? I think they're for us!"

Ash: "Are you sure those things are safe? I mean, they just appeared out of nowhere! I don't like eating anything unless I know where it came from"

Aspen: "Of course they're safe bro! Let me show you!"

Aspen: "Gosh... I hope it really is safe..."

Ash is laughing at him. Nice.

Abra: "OMG Yay! My son is growing up and my daughter is trying to reach a fetal state again by fusing with my body! YAY!"

Aspen: "See, I told ya it's safe brother! Try it, I think you'll like it!" 

Aspen rolled childish making him neurotic, friendly, excited and childish. Wow.

Ash: "I wish for safety and knowledge and to retain my cute appearance"

Ha ha ha...wish NOT granted. Before he was a cute little creep. Now he's a scrawny, weird looking creep who is musically talented. Ash added Virtuoso to Neurotic, Clumsy and Inappropriate.

Here are the boys together. It's funny how different they are. Aspen is basically a male version of his mom. I don't know where Ash got his looks.

Aspen: "He got them at the funny farm! Ha ha ha ha ha...."

Oh hey, Aster? You grew up too, huh? You're cute. Still, you're not the heir.

Aster: "Yeah, because obviously I'm too good for your stupid legacy."

She rolled the snob trait which makes her a neurotic snob who is brave. I love her eyes but I think she's going to end up looking a lot like her mom and I really want genetic variety!

I'm going to end this chapter here because I'm actually boring myself. I don't know what I was thinking having 5 babies and one step kid in the first generation. Ah well, I see the end in site and I'm so excited for the new generation which will be coming soon!

Chapter 2.2 Growing Up Is Hard To Do

Wow! The entire Avani family is at the table at once! (except for the infants who are on a liquid diet of course) Don't worry, this family time thing won't last long...

Apple and Apricot have homework to do and the babies are crying which means...

Abra is busy with the whole snuggle, feed, repeat routine. Leighton has not been as involved with the babies this time around. He's always trying for that next promotion but unfortunately, he's really slow at increasing his athletic skill so he spends most of his time at the gym.

But the newborns aren't the only ones who feel like Leighton is neglecting them. Poor Sam was beginning to feel so ignored that he took to visiting his grandmother almost every evening.

Sam: "Everyone's always so worried about money because we don't have any. Abra's always involved with the babies and Dad's always at work or the gym and it's so stressful, I just can't relax when I'm at home. Please, Grandmother, can I move back in with you?"

Grandma Sekemoto: "I'm sorry Sam but you can't live here. I'm an old lady now and I'm not financially or emotionally equipped to raise a fine, young man like yourself. You belong with your father and with Abra."

Sam: "But, but... money?"

Grandma Sekemoto: "I think that you will soon learn that there is more to life than money and material possessions. You are of course always welcome to visit me here."

Poor Sam. Luckily for him though, things are about to get easier because...

...it's birthday time for the babies! Look! Everyone came to the party! :)

Heeeere's Aspen!

Aspen: "I is cute?"

Yup, you sure are buddy!

...and here's Ash. He's a bamf if I've ever seen one.

Ash: "I have one request. Bottle. Now. I won't ask again."

Aspen (in blue): "I is cute and friendy and smiwe awww da time!"

Ash: "Quiet fool. I must play the keys in the right order or chaos will ensue."

Apricot spends all of her time out of school either doing homework or painting.

Apricot: "My therapist says that I must paint my feelings because if I keep them inside I will asplode!"

Right, well... you're feelings look pretty happy to me.

Apricot: "Clearly, you have no understanding of art."

In addition to fishing and rock hunting, Apple enjoys hiding in bushes in order to scare rich townies before she mooches food and money from them.

Apple: "Hey Mort!"

Mortimer: "Ahh! What are you doing in that bush?"

Apple: "Nothing. Just wondering if you wanna give me a bite to eat"

Mortimer: "Oh... uh, yeah. I actually happen to have some toast and jam in my pocket. Here ya go, kid"

Apple: "Thank you kindly."

Aspen: "You shoud smiwe more brudder. Smiwing keeps the golum away."

Ash: "They've been lying to you brother. The only thing that will keep the golum away is chewing on this block for 5 minutes exactly and of course, CONSTANT VIGILANCE!"

 Leighton: "Oh hey! Look at me! I'm having a birthday! Whooo! YAY ME!"

Leighton: "Oh yeah... still smokin"

Apricot: "Oh my goodness! Dad just got old! Like older than he already was! That totally blows me away!"

Abra: "Yay! It's going to happen to me too!"

Abra: "How do I look? Not too bad, right?"

Leighton: "You are even more beautiful than the day I met you"

Abra: "Wow! I'm going back to work for the first time since I was pregnant with the girls!"

Awesome. Are you going to get the promotion you missed out on way back then?

Abra: "You bet your butt I am!"

Abra and Leighton didn't even have to hire a babysitter while they were at work because it was a Saturday and Sam was home from school!

Sam: "But, I don't know what to do with them!"

Sam actually spent most of the day playing his brand new guitar. As soon as Sam picked up the guitar he realized he wanted to be a master of the arts by maxing out his painting and guitar skills.

Umm... what feelings does that painting portray?

Apricot: "This is not a feeling! This is a portrait of my sister Apple who must always wear pink!"

Oh, of course. I see it now. How could I have been so stupid?

Aspen: "Oh no! Where Apple go? I is so scawed!"

Aspen: "Oh! There she is! Woah!"

Aspen: "Now I is invisible too. Hee hee hee..."

 The day after Abra returned to work she announced that she was once again expecting a baby. I really wanted to wait for her to get pregnant again because I'm going crazy with 7 sims in one house. But, I didn't want the kids to be super far apart in age either. At least I know there's only one baby in there! ;)

Apple: "Well sister, today is our birthday! Do you want to blow out the candles first?"

Apricot: "No, no, you go ahead. Mom's not watching right now and I'd like her full attention"

So, Apple blew out her birthday candles to general applause although her twin sister seemed to think cleaning the sink was more important and her half brother, Sam was less than thrilled about being woken from his nap.

Apple: "Please don't share this picture on your blog"

Oh sure thing, no problem... no one will ever see it. Promise...

Apricot, having finished cleaning the sink ran up to blow out the candles on her cake.

Abra: "I'm going to nom this cake! Nom!Nom!Nom!"

Wow, these twins are sooo different from each other! I like it!

Apple (in pink) added Ambitious to her traits which already included brave, likes the outdoors and mooch. She has a lifetime want to become a Superstar Athlete.

Apricot has officially "asploded" as far as her emotions go and has become certifiably insane in addition to artistic, excitable and over emotional. She wants to become an Illustrious Author.

Apple spent her first night as a teen on the beach fishing and talking to this woman (forgot her name!). Unfortunately, she lost track of time and stayed out past curfew.

The really stupid thing is that this beach is practically in the Avani backyard (although obv. not on the lot). So, to get to the beach, the cop parked directly in front of the Avani house and Apple had to walk through her yard to get to him. Made me laugh.

Cop: "I know we're already in front of your house but I'm going to need you to go ahead and get in the car so I can pretend to drive you home"

Apple: "What-ever"

Leighton: "What were you doing staying out so late? Your mother and I were worried sick! Then to come home in a cop car!? Your brother never came home in a cop car! I expect better from you young lady!"

Apple: "ugh. Can we do this later? I'm frickin tired."

Leighton: "Don't you use that language with me young lady!"

Apple: "Good night Dad."

Where are you going all dressed up Apricot?

Apricot: "School, of course! Where else would I go in a dress like this?"

Before any of us knew it, it was time for the boys to grow into childhood!

Ash: "Are you sure about this cake Mother? I heard they can explode and burn us all to death. Did you hear me? To death! I think we should find another means of growing up..."

Ash added inappropriate to his already impressive traits of clumsy and neurotic. He's, ummm... a good kid. He is pretty cute tho, don't you think?

And Aspen is cute as well! He added friendly to excitable and neurotic.


So basically, Ash handles his neurosis through an inappropriate, tough guy act while Aspen handles his with positivity and excitement. Interesting :)

Abra: "Uh oh, I think I just peed my pants!"


No.... that was your water breaking. The baby is coming!

Abra: "Owwwwie!"

Ash: "Good grief woman! Stop yelling! You need to provide me with a bed before I pass out from exhaustion!"


...this is where I realized I forgot to buy beds for Aspen and Ash. Heh.

Heeeres baby! Abra and Leighton's 5th and final child is a girl named Aster.

She enjoys Latin music, Lobster Thermidor and the color red. Aster was born with the brave and neurotic traits. So, I guess she will face her neurosis with bravery. Good for her :)



I am going to close this chapter on that happy note. What's next? Will Apricot continue to paint her feelings or has she really a-sploded? Will Apple continue with her rebellious, tomboy ways?


What about the boys? How will these neurotic young men handle school and the bigger world that childhood has brought them?

Will Sam ever grow up and move out? Will I go crazy with 8 Sims in one house?

And most importantly, will we ever decide on an heir???

Stay tuned!